Potential Energy

 

 

Gravitational potential energy

 

The gravitational potential energy of a body depends on the position of the body's mass center G. The rigid-body gravitational potential energy equation is shown in the following equation, where h_G is the height of the body's mass center.

 

V_g = mgh_G

 

Elastic potential energy

 

The elastic potential energy of a linear spring does not change. It is the same equation that was used in the module on Particle Work and Energy.

 

V_e = (1/2)kx²